AL West Notes: Maxwell, Avisail, Healy Trade, Rangers, Astros

Despite recent allegations of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct, Bruce Maxwell is still viewed by the Athletics as their catcher next season, GM David Forst told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle at this week’s GM Meetings. “We’ll let the criminal proceedings play out,” said Forst, “But from a baseball standpoint, I expect Bruce to be our catcher next year.” Maxwell has already plead not guilty to the charges brought forth against him after he allegedly waved a gun in the face of a Postmates delivery employee last month. The Chronicle’s Susan Slusser reported earlier this week that there’s no trial date yet, but a hearing wouldn’t occur until early 2018.

Even without Maxwell’s off-the-field issues, though, catcher would seem to be a potential area for improvement for the Athletics. Maxwell will turn 27 in a month, has batted just .251/.331/.354 in 354 MLB plate appearances over the past two seasons and has thrown out a respectable but unspectacular 25 percent of opposing base thieves in his big league career. Baseball Prospectus rated him as an excellent pitch framer coming up through the minors, though he’s yet to post quality marks with the A’s.

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Within that same piece, Shea also reports that the A’s have some interest in White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia. Oakland is known to be on the lookout for a right-handed-hitting outfielder that can play left field now that the trade of Ryon Healy has opened the door for Khris Davis to serve as the DH. While Garcia, 26, checks some boxes for Oakland, however, he’s not a perfect fit; the young slugger is only controlled for another two seasons, making him more of a mid-term play than a long-term asset. Beyond that, he’s only played 118 innings in left field as a big leaguer, and his defensive ratings in right field haven’t been positive on the whole (though they’ve improved dramatically in the past two seasons). The Sox will be open to moving Garcia, though, who figures to be one of many options Oakland pursues this winter.

Forst told reporters following last night’s Healy trade that the Mariners first contacted the Athletics about Healy “right after” the regular season ended (link via MLB.com’s Jane Lee). The two sides talked on and off over the past month, and Forst notes that right-hander Emilio Pagan, one of two players Oakland received in the deal, is someone they’ve tried to acquire from the Mariners in the past. “Once it was clear [Pagan] could be part of this deal, then we spent the last week or so trying to work it out,” said Forst. Lee notes that the A’s will continue to seek bullpen help and could place an emphasis on finding a left-handed reliever.

Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto also spoke with reporters following last night’s trade and firmly stated that Healy is expected to be the team’s regular first baseman (link via Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times). “We are planning on Ryon playing first base in an every-day or near-every-day role or basis,” said Dipoto shortly after praising Healy’s all-fields power. “…He’s performed quite well against left-hand pitching. You saw a little bit of a dip against righties. But I think that’s the league adjusting to Ryon and now is his chance to adjust back.” Divish also has quotes from Healy about being traded and further quotes from Dipoto on the difficulty of informing Pagan that he’d been dealt.

Rangers GM Jon Daniels said at the GM Meetings that his team is approaching the 2018 season with the mindset that Delino DeShields Jr. will be the center fielder, writes Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. That doesn’t entirely rule out the possibility of signing a center fielder, as Daniels stated that DeShields could end up in left if the team lands a center fielder “that makes us better as a club.” It does, however, suggest that center field may not be a top priority for Texas this winter. Daniels praised DeShields for his defensive improvements in center over the past couple of seasons, reminding that he’s a converted second baseman who has been learning on the job.

Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle runs down some of the decisions the Astros will face as they look to set their roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft, noting that outfield prospect Ramon Laureano could prove one of the most difficult calls to make. The 23-year-old Laureano elevated his prospect stock with a huge 2016 campaign (.319/.428/.528 between Class-A Advanced and Double-A) but faltered significantly in his first full season in Double-A. Kaplan notes that lefty Cionel Perez “is certain to be protected” and also lists some other candidates that could land on the 40-man roster by next Monday’s deadline.

Avi had 4.2-4.5 WAR season last year, he’s an upgrade if he can miraculously keep up that .392 BABIP (lol). Other than that, see no reason for Oakland to try trading for him, there’s better options out there.

Def not true lol Oakland has been making moves like an Upton sign for years. He was proven above average fielder, and with a quality bat in Tampa. If they would attempt to get Avi, Piscotty, etc. A trade would be needed for a top prospect for a team doing a full rebuild. He’s cheap, and has been looking actively this off-season to find a team. What better to have a past proven OF that is a right handed hitting above average fielder.

He seems like the risk/reward type that a team would take. he could be the 4th OF/PR for 2018, and then possibly a starter down the line. I’d protect him, Deetz, and Perez for sure. Brendan McCurry and Jason Martin would be borderline for me.

Is Maxwell the most hated guy in mlb? To me he is. First guy to take a knee, now his crazy pistol waving antics. Do you see adam jones taking a knee? Pffff Athletic fans should be ticked off management allows him to represent Oakland.

I mean, A’s fans should be mad with management for saying he’s the everyday C next year, because he did absolutely nothing to deserve that role this year and his ceiling is backup C. The A’s should get Castillo for 3 years and Iannetta for 2 and then Murphy will be ready. At minimum Maxwell still needs to learn to hit and frame better at AAA for a while.

Castillo would be the perfect fit for the A’s. I wouldn’t put to much weight in the A’s saying Maxwell is their starter because their hands are tied right now. If they said he is not their future and DFA him the union would sue. By saying let it ride out in court means if he is convicted they can release him because a clause in his contract to be a good citizen.

You know he is a son on decorated military officer and is of mixed parents and also has been discriminated against in his childhood. Also he has the full sport of his teammates and coaches becazude he spoke with them all ahead of time. No one hates thenkid except those that have no clue what they are talking about.

Everyone knows what they are kneeling for. He’s not saying they have anything against veterans, but being a veteran and fighting for his country and his flag he has a right to be pissed at someone for what he feels as disrespect towards the flag.

And the fact his father is an officer and he grew up on military bases and has a great deal of respect for the military. I thought the military fought for freedom. I guess it’s freedom for some but not for all

Question: Why do they even play the National Anthem before the game? It seems like a carryover from the late 19th century to get everyone to shut-up and pay attention. Would the game be any different if they just stopped the practice?
(I’m not trying to make a statement or anything. I’m just curious about the reason.)

Even though his father is a war hero and he has full support of them all. What a shame people think he is disrespecting anyone. Open your mind and understand there are issues that are dealt with by minorities that you must not understand.

Personally, I️ agree with you. I’m a disabled retired Marine. I️ totally understand and support their right to protest. I️ even put my life on a contract 5 times to defend their right to protest. But guess what. I️ have a right to turn the channel and not buy tickets to their “protest” also to not buy if at all possible anything from any sponsor of the “protesters”. My argument is not with what they are protesting, but how they are protesting. If you have a problem with America, leave. But as a guy who has been to a lot of places around the world, I’ll tell you we America, are the best thing going. If you never risked being brought home under a flag don’t you dare disrespect it and ask me to support you. Absolutely freedom for all but freedom has a price and if you’re not willing to pay it you don’t deserve it.

The A’s need a dynamic RF who plays good defense and can OPS over .800. They also need a CF option in case Fowler isn’t ready and needs some seasoning at AAA after being out so long, a guy who could be used either as a 4th OF or an everyday guy. Austin Jackson maybe? Someone like that.

Cards and A’s look like a great match. I love Carson Kelly but Yadi signed on for extra years and Kizner is looking good in minors and AFL. What could the cards get back for Kelly and Grichuk/Piscotty?

He did well offensively in Single A and fizzled out a little in Double A, but he’s a very solid defensive catcher with a good arm and there is some pop off his bat. He’s also had a solid outing for Mesa in the AFL.

.309/.413/.368/.780 in 68 AB’s, but he’s been a standout in the AFL behind the dish. Not worried about his slugging percentage there at all. We know the power is there.

The A’s are in the midst of a rebuild. The last thing they want to do is trade for a guy that’s going to cost them significant prospects. There’s a couple right handed hitting outfielders on the open market the A’s should instead turn their attention to. Austin Jackson just had an excellent season as a part timer with the Indians. There’s also Carlos Gomez whose familiar with the division, and Chris Young who played with the club in 2013.

That’s why the Mariners can’t build a good farm and can’t win a world series. How come you trade two top prospects by Rumbelow? He was designated for assignment after a TJ surgery, and signed back by the Yankees. He has only pitched 51 innings in MLB with ERA 4.02, then was demoted to AAA. I’m not a Yankee fan but I gave them a lot of credit for this trade, they got two very talented players. That’s the difference between the Yankees and the rest of the league, When it comes to trade, they always get the best part.